Just a Dog
by Richard Biby - Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a dog,"
or, "that's a lot of money for just a dog." They don't understand
the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for
"just a dog."
Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just
a dog." Many hours have passed and my only company was
"just a dog," but I did not once feel slighted.
Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by
"just a dog," and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch
of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.
If you, too, think it's "just a dog," then you will probably understand
phases like
"just a friend,"
"just a sunrise,"
or
"just a promise."
"Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship,
trust, and pure unbridled joy. "Just a dog" brings out the
compassion and patience that make me a better person.
Because of "just a dog" I will rise early, take long walks and
look longingly to the future. So for me and folks like me,
it's not "just a dog" but an embodiment of all the hopes and
dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the
pure joy of the moment.
"Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my
thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.
I hope that someday they can understand that it's not
"just a dog" but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps
me from being "just a person."
So the next time you hear the phrase "just a
dog," just smile, because they "just don't understand."
